I Must be a Bad Student

7:11 AMHeather

If y'all follow my little life along on this blog, you might see a correlation. I tend to write something and then the words come back to haunt me. Like the post about handling the truth and that very night I was faced with a situation where I had to sort through true and truth. And, just the other day, I mused about being rather than doing. Hmmpf. I must be a really slow learner because that lesson just keeps on.

I have just wrapped up an exciting weekend lying on my heating pad with a TENS unit hooked to my neck muscles. You see, some of my neck muscles seem weak and not quite functional. It's a long story--but suffice it to say that I've spent hours beating myself up trying to figure it out. The culmulative effect is that the other neck muscles seem to be trying to compensate. It feels like whiplash from a car accident, mixed with a lovely choking sensation because a scope showed my throat muscles have swollen a bit. Throw in a strong dose of steroids, and I've been a weepy basket case feeling ridiculous for lamenting my situation when other people are facing REAL problems.

Sleep is a bit elusive--finding a comfortable position is tricky. So, as I lay in bed last night pondering all that the last week has held for our family, I asked God to whisper encouragement to me. I like to be in control. I struggle with finding worth through my accomplishments. I like to go and do and help--and I do NOT like to ask for help. And, I certainly don't like lying around when there are dishes to be done, clothes to be folded, and children to play with.

I suddenly thought of the picture of the body of Christ, and how we are all members of that body, shaped to function together.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.Romans 12: 4-5

Just like I have these neck muscles that are not functioning properly, I AM a part of the body that is not functioning at full speed. And, just as my other neck muscles are trying to compensate, you sweet friends around us are working hard to compensate on my behalf! It is humbling and amazing--and I am struggling to accept your generosity. On Friday, when my husband got called out of town because his grandmother broke her hip, I felt overwhelmed with how I would manage the kids this weekend. Once my pity party began to wind down, I asked God to show up and help. Friends took my kids and kept them overnight. Someone brought me a YUMMY dinner on Friday night. Babysitters were available to help, other friends brought meals, Sonic drinks, and even over the counter meds that I had run out of. Sweet friends took my children to church and loved on them and took them to lunch. Neighbors dropped by with more food. God showed up all right--in abundance--to meet every need and then some.

INTENTIONAL challenge: I don't know if it's the fog of still processing the last week or what, but I feel as though I keep saying the same thing here. Nevertheless, let me say it again. It's unbelievable to me to see the members of the body of Christ working as they were intended--flexing their muscles to compensate for a weak one. To sit and accept God's provision is beyond humbling, and I simply can't deny how dependent on Him I am right now. If you are weak right now, join me in learning to accept the ministry of others. If you are game-on and doing well, flex your muscles and look for a way to ease someone's trouble today. Be ever mindful of how God intended us to walk this journey together.